Well, I just picked up a Pismo with my extra cash from my powerbook -> imac G5 conversion.
One of the first things I want to do is pick up some new batteries (1, 2, 3, who knows).
My question is, how hard is it to rebuild these things. I saw the other thread floating around here when I searched, but it seemed to get semi offtopic from what I was looking for.
I know you need the 18650 cells, but how many? (9 I do believe). I only have one pack right now, so I have been afraid to open it. I want to get a nice high capacity battery, but am unsure how easy it is to do such.
Also, I have been trying to figure out what other hacks I could do to this thing. One idea has been chaning the power and sleep light to white, to match everything else.
A backlit keyboard would be cool, but no idea how hard that is to do. I think I read about that somewhere once.
I don't want to do any painting to it, unless it is a small highlight or something. Any other ideas? Built in webcam ? 
Ben
it would be cool to make the white apple onj the lid a colored apple, like this:
=http://www.applefritter.com/node/577
ive been wanting to to that to my wallstreet for a while, but its not really "mine" so im afraid to do it
John
You have a few choices:
First: http://www.wwc.edu/~frohro/Powerbook/Pismo/Battery/
On how to rebuild a battery
or
Second: http://www.batteryrefill.com/laptops/apple/PowerBook_G3_Lombard.phtml
To have the cells in your battery replaced.
This seems to work, but these are PC folks who have NO idea on how to reset a Mac battery.
I am rebuilding a battery as we speak... wish me luck!
hmm..
I have two dead Lombard batteries.. D'oh! could you use an extra to experiment on? PM me and I could be a donor of one for your project.
Keys from an iBook or TiBook?
The battery refiller link is nice. I have 5 batteries, so being able to recell them for less than $160 or so is really nice. Most places I looked wanted not quite double what they want.
Thanks for the offer on the batteries, btw, but with 5 I would hate to deprive others. Maybe I will sell one or two of these to offset the cost of rebuilding them.
I was also thinking that getting tibook keys would be cool, do a complete black thing and get rid of the bronze.
Would there be any way to do a backlit keyboard? Thats what I really would love to do, but have no clue how.
I was thinking about UV LEDs and letting those use the white of the keys?
Sure! you supply the batteries... I can give it a go... I can't warranty or guarantee success though.
... you need to supply the battery cells as well....
Lance
I was thinking maybe go the tried and true route of LEDs with fiber, ala:
http://homepage.mac.com/nnishi/PhotoAlbum3a.html
Does anyone know a good place to pick up the fiber optic cable here in the states? I don't want to buy 10000000 feet of it, trying to keep this all cost efficient.
With school wrapping up, I will have tons of time to take these projects on now.